Shishio & The Ten Swords (Juppon Gatana)

Shishio Makoto

A former Hitokiri (successor of Kenshin), who worked for the Ishin during the Bakumatsu period. Because he was too powerful and malicious, the Meiji government was afraid that one day he would turn against them, thus they disposed of him by shooting him and engulfing his body with fire.

Shishio somehow survives miraculously. During the last ten years, he keeps his profile low and secretly assembles a stronger army attempting to overthrow the Meiji and put Japan into chaos (in the story of Kyoto-hen).

Shishio is a very ambitious person and his personality is a little bit on the crazy side. Having been betrayed and manipulated by the governemnt, Shishio becomes very critical and is definite on his motto, "jakuni kyoushouku", meaning "the strong devours the weak".

Seiyuu:

Seta Soujiro

Also known as the "Tenken", or the "heavenly sword" because his swordsmanship and kenjutsu killing techniques are innate. He is Shishio's right hand and is the most powerful of the Juppon Gatana. As Shishio's most loyal follower, Soujiro also deeply believes in Shishio's ideal, he thinks that "only the strong shall survive, and the weak must die" ("tsuyokereba iki, yowakereba shinu").

Although Soujiro always looks cheerful superficially and constantly wears a smile, he is actually a cold-blooded killer. Because he has lost 3 out of 4 essential emotions due to some reason (trying to avoid spoilers :p); he lacks happiness, anger, sadness, and the only feeling that he has is enjoyment. This characteristic even further enables him to fulfill his job as the perfect assassin.

Komagata Yumi

Also called the "night witch". Yumi is the love interest (fiancee) of Shishio and loves him truly, hence she is always seen beside Shishio. Although she does not directly play a role in any battle (yet...), she has led the way during Kenshin's challenge in Shishio's secret fortress.

Seiyuu:

Yuukyuzan Anji

Also known as the "Myou'ou". Anji was originally a monk, but he broke the laws of his religion and became a "hakaisou", or a fallen monk who wanders (note: When Sano makes a joke of Anji's title, I believe it's a pun to a manga called "Hakai'ou/God of Destruction").

Anji, like Sanosuke, detests the current corrupt Meiji government. Therefore, he joined the Juppon Gatana and hopes to create a better era with his and Shishio's power, Anji calls this act as "guze", meaning to "save the world".

Seiyuu:

Sadojima Hoji

Shisho's left hand and the strategist of the Juppon Gatana. Hoji is extremely smart and helps Shishio in terms of expanding his army. He, during this time of the Western domination, is worried that Japan would soon be one of the victims of colonization. Despite this fact, he too seems to support the idea of "Imperialism" and thinks that raising Japan's military prowess is the only means not to be conquered by the Western nations. Hence Hoji determines that with a person as ambitious as Shishio and his own intelligence, they can overthrow the Meiji government and turn Japan into a more powerful nation.

Seiyuu:

Uonuma Usui

Also known as the "Blind Sword". Usui lost his eyesight in a duel against Shishio during the Bakumatsu. Surprisingly, due to lacking the sense of sight, he learnt a special skill called "Shingan" , or "Eye of the heart". He is able to determine every motion and psychological state of his opponent by only listening to their muscle, bone, and heart movement.
Usui only works under Shishio because of one promised condition, which is that he has the right and can attempt to kill Shishio at all times, that is only if he can of course. In his duel against Saitou in Shishio's fortress, Usui lost because his shingan skill is seen through by Saitou.

Seiyuu:

Kariwa Henya

Seiyuu:

Honjou Kamatari

Also known as the Ougama (The Big Synthe). Kamatari is a rather feminine guy. His special weapon is the huge sickle.

Kamatari loves Shishio, and fights for the Juppon Gatana full-heartedly. Although he is very powerful, he lost in the match against Kaoru and Misao outside the Aoiya due to their ingenious tactics.

Seiyuu:

Sawagejou Cho

*not complete*

Cho, nicknamed the "Sword collector", adores all kinds of swords. In fact he is obsessed with his hobby that he obtained his weapons by killing the swordsmiths who created them.

Cho is a loud mouth (since he's from Osaka), similar to Sano.
Referred by Sano as the broom head and he in turn calls Sano Tori-atama (chicken head :) )as well.

In the duel against Kenshin outside the shrine, Cho gave Kenshin, whose sakabatou was broken by Soujiro previously, a hard time. However he lost at the end when Kenshin obtains his new sword, Sakabatou Shinuchi.